CONTROVERSIAL climate change sceptic and campaigner Lord Christopher Monckton could return to Ballarat next February as part of a tour sponsored by the Democratic Labor Party. Ballarat-based DLP Senator John Madigan said the colourful opponent to climate change science speaks regularly of his warm reception in Ballarat during a 2011 tour and a local speech was likely. “He was very taken with Ballarat and the hospitality he received whilst in the area,” he said. “I expect a good open debate when he comes. Everyone is entitled to their point of view on this issue and I think people agree that we need to debate the issue no matter what.” A former policy advisor to Margaret Thatcher, Lord Monckton will visit New South Wales and Victoria with dates yet to be confirmed. Never far from controversy, he was forced to apologise after comparing the Gillard government’s climate change adviser Professor Ross Garnaut to a Nazi at a speech in the US in 2011. Footage of the lecture showed slides with Nazi swastikas alongside quotes from Mr Garnaut. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott condemned the comments, but Lord Monckton’s message has long been embraced by climate change deniers across the political spectrum. Senator Madigan called on those who disagree with Lord Monckton’s views to show respect. “I wouldn’t say I agree with him on everything, nor would he agree with me, but at the end of the day anybody in the debate should play the issue and not the man,” he said. He said he did not know how much the party would spend on the tour. Last year, Britain’s House of Lords published a “cease and desist” letter demanding that Lord Monckton stop claiming to be a member of Parliament's House of Lords. thomas.mcilroy@thecourier.com.au